I think daughter realized I was getting a little overwhelmed and made other arrangements for the kids today, which was so nice. Youngest also called about me watching Oliver next Tuesday and I told her that I was now behind and only had 3 weeks to catch up and that I really needed to sew. She wanted to go out for a day off and I simply told her to put him in a stroller and take him with, both girls, I just cannot be a full time sitter, when I am running a very busy business. I want to help and I love them and the grand kids but grandma is behind. Or grandma is a behind, (just ask Sis and Slugs)
Also yesterday I had 4 clients in that wanted things by today. This is getting more and more common. SO I have to drop plans to get their things done. I told each of them I would be imposing a rush charge. That is what the dry cleaners do. Not one person balked. If you want it last minute you have to pay extra. So I was sewing until late last night. We also did not get to go boating because the smoke from yet another fire close by descended into the valley throughout the day making it awful by evening. Drat!
Hubs is due home late today with our James, who will be spending a good deal of time with Schmills this next week. As hubs will be home he will be in charge of grand kid duty. Also company due in this evening, so I need to change the sheets and do just a little cleaning. Also should figure out what I have to cook. I have plenty of fresh things and lots of meat in the freezer, so I will be fine.
Actually financially it was a good week. I got a lot more done than I thought I would. I just had such a volume of work come in, but I am glad that the week is over.
Any plans for your weekend?
Have a great and productive day staying positive while you are in the negtive.
Kim
Way to go Kim!!! I'm so happy to see you put your foot down with everyone.
ReplyDeleteWell done on completing another chart & I'm so happy to see that your business is booming.
I think us blogger friends should come up with some ideas of how you can pay Sluggy & Sissy back for being so mean...lol Have a wonderful weekend!
Well Anne and I (Anne in the kitchen) are going to have secret club, with a code word and a handshake and they can't join, but you can....:)
DeleteGood for you!!
ReplyDeleteHope you have a wonderful weekend!
Thanks Kathy you also.
DeleteI am so pleased to read this Kim - I am pleased you are putting your foot down as I felt you were being taken advantage of a bit. And when the shop is busy you really need to focus on that. I love being a Grandma too but sometimes I have to say No sorry I can't have them today.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand. I have never felt taken advantage of, but I do have to pay attention sometimes.
DeleteGood for you, growing a spine...lol. I don't know why grandmothers are put upon by parents. When you get a day off...cough...you keep kids. When you have work to do you keep kids. I love that you love them so, but... I know I put mine in a stroller and headed out to mall or wherever. No, it is not fun or convenient when they poop and snot and want food, but neither is struggling to make a living with kids underfoot. Ha! If kids were not a lot of trouble, they would not ask you to keep them. I know all that smoke would have my lungs mostly out of commission. Hopefully, things will stop burning! Remember, revenge is best served cold, so plot for a long time a way to get even with slugs and sis, and don't tell her I said so.
ReplyDeleteAnne and I are forming a secret club with a code word and a handshake. They are not invited. DO you want to join?
DeleteI am currently in a very painful almost strike with my kids/grandkids. Nothing against grandkids at all, so very sad (still babysit every Tuesday for one family) but there has been back fighting and score keeping with adult kids and I’m getting a backbone and will not put up with it! Does anyone have these issues, note my kids are usually wonderful. I’m hanging on to keep the peace until my last daughters wedding in the end of August so not divulging things that have been said. Boo hoo I could write a novel, this revolves around building a new cabin, whose done what, how to share sleeping quarters ……. Yada Yada
ReplyDeleteOh my! Are you related to me JRE? I'm staying out of that drama this summer.
DeleteYes! I have read a little about your “the cabin” drama and although I don’t know details now I’m the mom/mother in law …… and I boy I’m almost thinking of selling! And what’s playing into this a little is my oldest has a cabin about 10 minutes away but maybe feels excluded …. God only knows now! Makes my heart clench
DeleteI am so sorry you have to deal with this especially when it should bring the family such joy. We had an Aube who was very wealthy with a lovely huge cabin. Each of the 5 kids had tier own suite. Then they built a & suite cabin across the road that would sleep up to 30 people. Those 5 kids and grand kids did nothing but fight and set each other up. Finally they donated it to the church. I mean we are talking about 12 million dollars worth of property that the family could have enjoyed, gone due to bickering, spoiled behavior.
DeleteYay.
ReplyDeleteThanks RUe
DeleteAm I the only one who doesn't understand how your charts work? Why the odd numbers? Do you cross the numbers out in order?? Inquiring minds want to know...
ReplyDeleteI cross out the numbers when I have that much mney to stash away out of my weekly budget envelopes, or what comes into the shop. I have 60 a week for groceries. If I buy no groceries I mark off that 60 and put it aside.
DeleteI'm proud of you! It doesn't mean you don't love them all, but sometimes you have to put yourself first.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I do love them and really don't feel taken advantage of, but I do have to get my work done. When Hubs is home to help we can do more.
DeleteI have told my kids from the time they were little that I was NOT going to babysit as a grandmother. I don't foresee being a grandmother any time soon, but I hope I can be as sure about this edict as my own mother was to my siblings and me. I told them they damn well better have it figured out before they decide to have kids, because I am not available. I have no respect for people who pawn their kids off on other people. In an emergency, I'm the first one out the door, but beyond that, your choice, your responsibility, not mine. So, good for you.
ReplyDeleteYou might feel different when you actually have a little grand baby, but I can respect that.One of my sister in laws took real advantage of my husbands mother and her boys could be destructive. We had to talk to her about not being a door mat. I can be a door mat.
DeleteUgh, no. I love my kids, but found the baby/toddler years very challenging, and have no desire to go through that again.
DeleteGood for you! You have a business and that is important too. Just because you work from home, doesn't mean you don't work.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe people actually ask for things to be done the next day. Ridiculous!
Sometimes, especially for weddings things just don't come in until the last minute, but I cannot accommodate anymore , I am just too busy.
DeleteTo me, an 8-5 job away from home would be easier than what you are doing. Your adult children seem to think that since you are home that you are not really working. I have heard others who work at home say that people often don't take their work seriously. That people will call and want to chat endlessly, etc. You have to be firm, I guess, and establish boundaries.
ReplyDeleteWE are more than willing to watch the kids, but I have to draw limits when I am this busy. BY the way my mother in law watched my eldest daughter 4 days a week while I finished my degree. My grandparents took her the 5 th day. They did this for 4 years, as I double majored. My mother in law did not beleive in mothers working outside the home, but she did this for me as she knew her son would not be able to support his family in his chosen career. I owe her a lot.
DeleteI'm very proud of you for recognizing your own needs, and then communicating them to your family. Also, great work charging extra for last minute requests. Perhaps print up a sign with that + the storage fee, so you can make it clear that it's a standard cost you charge everyone?
ReplyDeleteMy parents are incredible, incredible grandparents. We don't live close, so they are likely to come visit for a long weekend while we go out of town, or in the current case, keep the kids at their house. They pushed this year for an extra week, so it's happening. They are both retired, and it's 100% their choice. My kids are teens, so a bit different. I like the balance of them having the kids for a known few days, vs random hours/days here & there. I think it would be much harder to juggle for everyone. Not that they would do that - they totally have their own routine & friends & hobbies & love it!
My mom has been teaching Sam to cook this summer. He's been making strawberry cheesecake, pies & doing some canning. ;-)
We love watching our grandkids, but I do need to get my work done!
DeleteI know it’s hard to tell them no, but you did the right thing. Good for you.
ReplyDeleteACtually it wasn't hard, I know when I have reached my limit.
DeleteGood for you putting your foot down on babysitting and rush orders!
ReplyDeleteI don't ind babysitting at all, but I am just so busy right now,it has to come second.
DeleteYou can be a great parent and grandparent even if you do not accommodate every request for help.
ReplyDeleteIf Pip lived close to me I would have a bedroom set up for her and would have her spend one night weekly to give me time with her and to give her parents a free night, but I would not be available all the time other than in real emergencies.
I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE ROOM TO HAVE A BEDROOM JUST FOR MY GRAND DAUGHTER. How fun. You can decorate it all girly.
DeleteEven though she lives across the country I actually do have a bedroom for her. It is moderately girly probably because I was standing behind the door when the girly girl gene was handed out
DeleteMy grandparents never babysat nor did my aunts or uncles. Everyone was still working. We used to take our grandkids once every 4 months. One time close to Christmas so parents could go shopping and then wrap everything. I do know Daughter 2 had to set boundaries with Daughter 3 as Daughter 3 would drop off her kids and not come back to get them. Took a phone call to the kids Dad (ex to Daughter 3) to come get them and why to end that crap.
ReplyDelete